Upset

I would like to add another disappointment and regret to my life chapter today. I will start with the disappointment first because it's not as bad as the regret. I was sick with a bad sore throat infection on Sunday, so I informed my colleague who is the secretariat for the exhibition which I mentioned in my previous post that I'll be coming in late for the set up on Monday. She was fine with that. Ok. The initial plan was to stay at the Traders Hotel, KL during the entire exhibition roll out, 4 days 3 nights. Hubby and Lunz will stay together with me as well and I already promised to bring Lunz for a good dip at the pool. Hubby will also take care of Lunz while I work, like bringing him to PetroSain in KLCC and bla bla bla. Everything was well planned earlier. Then the following day, which is today, while I was packing my luggage, I received a call from mum. She told me grandma was in a critical stage and my uncle was asking everyone to rush down to the Gleneagles Hospital for a final look at her.

Without thinking twice, I immediately rush to mum's house to fetch her to the hospital because I know I still have some time before I need to go to the exhibition centre. And it's my responsibility as a daughter to bring her there since I'm free at that time. Hubby fetched Lunz from school, of course.

The disappointment I felt today was actually linked to the regret. Knowing my grandmother had passed away, I know I can't be totally available to work during the exhibition. Still panicking and upset, I immediately made a call to my exhibition secretariat colleague and told her the incident before judging properly. I told her I'm able to come on Tuesday but on Wednesday I definitely couldn't make it as I have to attend the funeral at the memorial park (chut san). I told her I badly wanted to be at the exhibition as everybody in MTC is practically waiting for this big show. Even myself, I spent a week straining my eyes in front of the PC rushing for the business matching schedule for over 200 companies, just for this exhibition. I don't want to miss it, I want to be a part of it. Plus, I have already promised my boys that we will have some KL escapade.

My colleague told me, she will arranged but she called me back in the next 5 minutes and told me not to come to the exhibition anymore. She had already found a replacement for me. I tried to call her back more than 3 times just to let her know, I can make it but still she rejected me. In short, I'm completely eliminated from this project. Another colleague told me, it will not be fair if you aren't there for the entire function and yet you wanted to stay at the hotel. You should gave the opportunity to your replacement as he will be taking over your task. He should be staying in the hotel instead. No point you can make it one day but not the other.

I thought, true...if I'm her, I wouldn't let myself into the shit of arranging all this just for a person. Why should I? I've plenty other arrangements to worry about. Might as well I cut out now on those unnecessary worries. It really felt bad you know, being cut out entirely from an anticipating project. It's like you are totally not involved. No credits. Hubby said I shouldn't have informed my colleague too early. I should have gone there to work first because the 'chut san' date wasn't even confirmed yet at the moment but I have already called my colleague and told her so much. I said, I was just thinking that telling her early would facilitate her to find a replacement for me on the second day of exhibition but never did I know she eliminated me totally from it to save her headache. Hubby commented, that's why. You always think of other people first but you never think for yourself. You can't be so honest and simple in the working world. No one will sympathize nor will pity you. Kindness is your virtue but it is also your weakness.

I was taken aback from his statement. But I know it's true. I hear every single comment from him and told myself not to be this foolish anymore. I was really disappointed but I guessed I have learnt my lesson. The only thing that made me felt better was knowing that I'm leaving soon from this company. So, it's fine if I don't get any credit.

This was nothing compared to the regret I felt today. As I mentioned earlier, I was fetching mum to the hospital and we were actually in front of the hospital entrance when she received a call. My dad told her that grandma was already on the way back to my uncle's house. So the first thing that came into my mind was I need to make a quick turn down to Kepong from Gleneagles Hospital. Without hesitating, I made my way immediately there. Mum told me if I need to go to work, I can leave her at the hospital, she will take a cab. I will not of course, how could I just dumped my mother at this moment, so I told her I'll fetch her to uncle's house. I was telling myself silently, if I leave you to take a cab, I'm a 'sui lui'. If I can't make it to take you in time to see your mother go, I'm a 'sui lui'. All I know that time, I don't care what it is, I must bring my mum there on time. No matter what. I know how much she wanted to see her own mother for the final time. Everyone does when it comes to this situation.

As I rushed down to Kepong, almost reaching my uncle's house, mum received another call. This time from my aunt. Aunt told us that grandma has already passed away.....in the hospital. I was like...OMG...why dad gave us the wrong info? Grandma was still in the hospital and there was no way I can turned back to the hospital now because she was practically gone. So near and yet this happened. We were there at the hospital already when the call from dad came in. If only I don't panicked, if only I'm logic enough, I would have confirmed with the relatives who were there in the hospital instead of listening to dad. And dunno, where the hell dad got the news from. I regret instantly on the spot and to such great extend, I was strucked dumb. I just parked my car by the road side with my double signal on and with mum crying badly next to me. This time, I really 'sui lui'. If dad or bro fetches her, the outcome might be different. I wasn't calm enough, that's why. Mum panicked but I'm not supposed to be. I failed to send her to see her mother for a final look and I know she will regret that for the rest of her life.

I consoled her by telling her, sometimes it's not good to witness your beloved passed away in front of you and grandma loves you so much, she don't want you to witness her death. It's fated. But no matter what I said, I can't stop feeling regret and hurt because she was so upset. I can only be there for her when she needs me and hope time will heal everything.

Amitabha

Finally.....

I was drop dead busy recently with MTC's first of its kind international timber exhibition to be held in KL Convention Centre next week. In fact, all the staffs are running here and there preparing for the big show. I was assigned to the exhibition secretariat to help out some last minute stuffs for this whole week that I don't even have the time to blog about one of the biggest decision/action in my life that I have made last Friday. Today....I finally have the time because I have finished all the work....yiiipppeee!!

Well...I'm about to come across one of the biggest transition in life. I'll be working in a new environment. Yes! I have tendered my resignation last Friday. I have just gotten the confirmation letter on my resignation from MTC today. Finally, after 3 years of working here and after 1 1/2 years of job hunting, I found a job that made me felt worthwhile giving up MTC. MTC offers good benefits and the opportunity to travel. Although the pay is peanut but there is no denying that I get to travel to many places and witness different cultures. The new company that I'll be joining is the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). The JD is pretty much the same as what I'm doing now in MTC, except, of course the difference is to serve the oil and gas industry rather than the timber industry.

We can't have the best of both worlds. So, I went for what I think is the most important for my future. Higher pay and salary structure and the opportunity to learn more about other industry while I'm still young. I thought long and hard before I came to this decision. I was quite worried at first, as I'm in the comfort zone, I'm afraid to venture elsewhere. Everything seems good in MTC if you don't think about the peanut pay and the slim promotion chances. Monday to Friday work, clock in and out punctually, no overtime, stress-free, good colleagues, bla bla bla....

But somehow, I guessed it's time to move on. Earlier, I have tried to request for salary adjustment but was rejected. Also, I found out recently that the newbies (fresh grads) who just entered MTC has even higher salary than me for the similar position. Honestly, when I learnt such news, I was a lil' offended by the company's unsystematic/biased move on the staff's salary but am glad at the same time also that I'm finally leaving. There is no chance I can move on to a higher salary range if I'm still in MTC. What was offered to me now by SPE would takes me 7-8 years to achieve in MTC and I will be too old to venture elsewhere by the time. That's why I left. Thanks to hubby and darling sis for the encouragements and supports. Muaks!

My last day will be on the 26th November after deducting my annual leaves. I'll taking 2 weeks of long rest before I start my new job. I'm forgoing my bonus also to join the new company but I guess it's ok, opportunity doesn't comes often and I don't want to miss it. I will earn back in a month or two. I'll be missing all the crazy laughs here, definitely. My friends rather than colleagues, I wished them all well. Especially to Lihar who is the only friend at work that reads my blog (because the others don't know about it), I wish you, "sam siong si sing", hope for what will get what. You know what I meant. :p Remember to inform me even though I'm not around later. I'll be very happy for you. :)

I'm gonna spend my remaining days here in MTC for good!

Darling Sis

My craziest closest sis came back for a visit from Manila recently. We met up a few times during her 2 weeks here in KL. We chatted like nobody's business and laughed our heads off. It's really fun talking to her. She was very supportive of the things that I said, true, honest and she really really know how to crack stupid jokes. I share the connection with her that I can't possibly find elsewhere on anybody. And also, I noticed that although I'm older than her, it was her that always protects me. For example, in terms of speech, she is far more better than me. So, she always fights off people who 'bully' me. When people 'attack' me verbally, I'll usually keep quiet or don't know what to say. But she is the one who always know how to 'attack' back on my behalf.

My darling sis.

I love the pictures of you taken with dad. Dad was so cute neh.

Sis, just to tell you I'm grateful to have you in my life. The Buzz Lightyear lunchbox and water bottle that you bought, Lunz loved it alot. He has been using it since whenever we go out. And finally, he recognizes you calling you 'kai mama'. The next time you come back, don't buy anymore dried mangoes for me as the current supply is more than enough and will last a long long time. Just bring back yourself safely ok.

Philippine is famous for dried mangoes. Elsewhere, you can't get as juicy as the Philippine dried mangoes.

Lunchbox and bottle bought by sis for Lunz.

And she even bought a Phillips Ceramic Curl for me. She knew I wanted it very much but 'ng seh tak' to buy.

I used it instantly on the next day and showed her the result.

Darling sis, the moment you are reading this, I want you to know how sorry I am to hear that I wasn't there for you when the bad things happened, especially the one that you told me in Sushi Zanmai. I don't know how hard it will be for you when it is time to leave Makati (if you know what I meant), but I know you are one hell of a strong lady or else, you wouldn't have gone so many miles away from home in the first place.

Be strong, have faith in Buddha knowing that He will have arrangements for you. Mum and Dad loves you and so am I, as one of your close friend. Take care. Need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.

May God bless you!

Lego Sets

This is really an outdated post. Daddy bought the Lego sets like about a month ago and I'm only blogging about it now. Well, anyway...both my big and small boys are not playing with the sets now (I guess they are bored of it already) but the collections were cool and according to daddy, every boy should have his own Lego sets. Therefore, I decided to blog about it and post some pictures that I have taken.

Posing with his new collections. Toy Story and Indiana Jones.

Woody to the rescue!! Vroom vroom!

I'm not a fan of Indiana Jones but since daddy told me that this collection was 60% off from its original price, so I took it home from the rack. FYI, everything was paid by daddy. Hehehe....

It looks like this after fully constructed. There was one afternoon (when I was napping on the couch), my boy built this entire set on his own by following the instruction manual, page by page (with no help at all). I was so proud of him. That time daddy was upstairs, I think.

Such detailed and small-sized figurine....Woody!

Buzz looked a lil' short to me. I prefer Woody. Hehehe....

This one, he obviously need help from daddy!

Close up of the boat!

There ya! When you press the button at the back of the boat, PLAK! It will split into two.

Another boat.

Now you see me all smiley....

Now you don't! "Arrgghhhhh.....help me Indiana Jones! I was kidnapped by the bad guys!"

Busy with the newly bought Lego sets.

A very close and long-timed friend who is currently working in London asked me recently what I wanted to 'tumpang' her to buy when she comes home in December (the GBP exchange rate now is much lower than way before. The current exchange rate is only 4.7-4.8. But anyway, she is really kind enough to offer considering all the hassle of purchasing the products and having to fork out money first on my behalf) . At first, I told her I wanted a Burberry purse (because Burberry's origin is from London, and it's really cheap getting it there), but after consideration, I dropped the idea because I don't think it is really worth getting a purse at RM 800-900 although in KL it is selling for 1K plus. So, I told her to get me Lego sets instead. Buying Lego from UK or the States is way cheaper than getting it locally. (You know what I meant---->Malaysia's tax is killing us!). I have yet to let her know the model or which collection to get. Gotta do some research first. :)

Oh Man!

Guess what? My boy likes to say 'Ohhhh Man!' very often now a days. I wondered where on earth he learns that from? If he got dissapointed or something did not get into his way, he will say oh man! The way he say it really cute. Sounds like a grown up expressing his or her disagreement with something or as if he is teasing you. He will drag the 2 words in a long saying, ohhhhh mannnnn!

For example, I brought him for an ice-cream treat. After finishing everything, he coughed a lil'. Then I told him, see eat ice-cream cough cough already. No more ice-cream for you next time. His expression and next words were, oh man! Sounds to me like, oh no, I don't get to eat ice-cream anymore? I should have hold my cough. =P

Having a kid that makes you laugh everyday, isn't it one of the happiest thing that ever happens? =)

A Kiwi A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!

I met up with Ling Ling recently and she told me how important it is to take enough vitamin C and she suggested me to give lun lun kiwi daily (as her mum is currently taking this fruit and it really boost her health). So, I started to give him a kiwi each day and this has continue for about a month already. So far, I can see the positive effect on the daily intake of the fruit. He has a stronger immune system now. According to some article I read from the net, kids age between 4-8 years old requires only 25mg of vitamin C daily. And guess what? A kiwi fruit contains 75mg of vitamin C, second to top up the list of fruits with the most vitamin C. The winner goes to lemon, of course. But I can't be feeding my boy lemon. Hence, kiwi will do. Apart from vitamin C, it is also high in fibre, so it facilitates the 'big' business. Great as a replacement for kids who dislike vegetables.

I know extra vitamin C will be flush out from the body but hey, at least I know I'm giving him enough vitamin C rather than vice versa right? Plus I couldn't be giving him half the fruit. I usually give him the whole fruit considering how small it is. And another, lun's cousin, Dominic ( KS's sis's son) was infected with HFMD recently when we visited them. My sis-in-law did not inform us prior because she felt that the virus will not spread once the infected person is recovering. But this is not true, the infected person will still be carrying the virus during recovery and even weeks after recovery. As I was already there at her house, leaving immediately not long after arrival will seems too obvious that I actually mind. So, I left it at God's hand.

Of course, the kids played like nobody's business and there were constant touching between the 2 of them. Fortunately, lunz was not infected after monitoring him for about a week. I don't know. Maybe it's luck but I believe the kiwi intake plays a role as well in defending his immune system. Therefore, I was glad I boosted his immune system earlier with loads of vitamin C. Kiwi fruit is selling at RM 8.90 for 5 pieces per box at Jusco. Not a cheap fruit to consume but if it provides a positive effect, I don't mind investing for my baby's health. After all he doesn't take vitamin C supplements, so it's good to go natural also.

By the way, the little bugger really knows how to eat. He only consumes the yellow kiwi instead of the green ones. Why? Because yellow ones are sweeter!

Studio Photos

I finally got my studio's photos last week. But there some dissatisfaction on the editing skills on 2 photos that I returned the album and the softcopy to the bridal shop. I have yet to follow up with them as I intend to give them a few days before I called up and asked. The girl told me she need to consult the photographer (who did the editing) on this and he is not around all the time. So, fine. I gave them a few days which means, times up! I'll call again today to find out what is the outcome. Are they going to re-do the album for me or what.

The first picture with poor editing skills is:

My favorite photo. Okay. One look you wouldn't notice anything. My face looked great, the make-up artist did a good job. Now, zoom into the gown. See the stitch on the gown at the back (to tighten up the gown)? And the loose part in front (makes me looked as if I have a bulging tummy)?

Well, she told me she can't edit the stitched part because they have tried and it looked very unnatural if they did, so they left it just like that. I was like WTF??!! You can't simply give qualities like this to your customers, right? And knowing them would complain later. Isn't it stupid you have to re-do the whole album for people again? If they could just be more careful and professional in their work, they can just save the extra cost incurred for having to re-make the album and the image of their bridal shop. And also, in the first place if you know you can't edit that part, why on earth you wanna take shots that clearly shows it? Well, I guess for them, perhaps they think people will not complain in order to save the hassle of giving back the entire album for a re-make. Coz it takes time to re-do the album. Maybe like out of 20 customers, only 2 will complain. Well, I'm one of the 2 and I'm in no hurry. I just want a result that I think will pass the normal standard requirements. And Oh God!, I'm not asking them to edit the pictures to make my breast bigger, my face slimmer or my arms more toned! I'm just asking for the very basic things that are noticeable to our eyes only. And that they did it carelessly. *Sigh*....earlier I really didn't felt like complaining, just close one eye. It's after all a small detail that if you weren't told about it, you would not notice it, according to my colleagues who told me, the attentions were fixed only on my face in that picture.

However, considering customer's rights and I paid for it, they have to give me a good result. So, I passed the album back to them. I had to crop the same picture to post on FB....

The cropped version looked better eh? More closed up!

Then I sought help from my company's art designer. He was kind enough to edit the picture for me. Just to prove that the picture can be edited (not like what the bridal shop claimed). The result shows it all...

Now, notice that the gown is more smooth right? This means that it can be done. Just that the bridal shop don't wanna waste their time to do for me.

The second photo is this one:

Look at the gown. Notice that as if the fabric was not ironed? Can you see the lines? This is the 'before' result provided by the bridal shop.

Take a look at the 'after' result by my art designer:

At least the gown looks more smooth right after editing. That's why I complaint!

Nevertheless, let's see what the bridal shop gonna do about it.

Some of my other favorite photos:


UPDATE: The bridal shop will re-do the album for me.